Explosive destruct device

ABSTRACT

A compact destruct device which is designed to fit into the filler opening of a fuel cell in a critical airframe structure of an aircraft, for example. The device may be remotely controlled to terminate the flight of the aircraft if desired.

Bite Sttes Patent Colpitts et al.

[ 51 Apr. 10, 1973 EXPLOSIVE DESTRUCT DEVICE Inventors: David A.Colpitts; Ronald R.

Vigneault, both of Ridgecrest, Calif.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyFiled: July 16, 1971 Appl. No.: 163,228

Assignee:

U.S. Cl ..l02/24 R, 102/56 Int. Cl ..F42b 3/00 Field of Search ..102/24,56, 67

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/l965 Urdapilleto -102/67 XPrimary ExaminerVerlin R. Pendegrass Attorney-R. S. Sciascia et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A compact destruct device which is designed to fit intothe filler opening of a fuel cell in a critical air frame structure ofan aircraft, for example. The device may be remotely controlled toterminate the flight of the aircraft if desired.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR] 01m sum 1 OF 3 Fig.1

PATENTEUAPR 1 01m 3,726,215

Fig. 2

PATENTEUAPR 1 3,726,215

sum 3 OF 3 EXPLOSIVE DESTRUCT DEVICE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates toflight termination destruct means for use in remotely controlledaircraft, for example, which might otherwise endanger populated areas.

The previous flight termination systems used on F9 aircraft, forexample, consisted of an elongated box containing 43 pounds ofexplosives designed to cut the main structural member of the wings. Thebox was attached under the wing and besides being heavy and bulky itcreated additional air drag. According to the present invention flightis terminated by the function of an explosive charge installed in thefiller opening, for example, of one or more inboard fuel cells. Thedevice typically weights about 2.6 pounds and may be triggered by radiosignal, which, through a series of coded electronic circuitconfigurations, operates safe and arm devices containing explosivescomponents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is alongitudinal cross sectional view of the first embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a second embodiment;and

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Indicated generally bynumeral in FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of the invention designed to beplaced in the fuel cell filler opening of an aircraft. The canister 11is contoured to fit the filler opening and carries a top anvil member12, a central anvil member 13 and a bottom anvil member 14. Between theanvils is a booster explosive plug 16 and surrounding the anvil membersis an explosive 17 having a nylon inner liner 15. The detonating meansis inserted so that a length of detonating cord 26 extends through theexplosive members 16. The detonator means is connected to a safe and armdevice in a manner disclosed in the above mentioned copendingapplication, by a length of mild detonating cord 24. In thisapplication, the canister is fitted with a cover plate 21 and a gasket22. Obturating rings such as 18 and 19 may be placed where necessary inthe assembly.

The explosive device 50 shown in FIG. 2 is modified by having the endsof anvils 52, 53 and 54 tapered such that the explosive boosters 56, 57act much on the order of a shaped charge device giving, in this case, aradial jet action. Explosives 51 may be the same as explosive 17 inFIG. 1. The canister, however, is greatly simplified in this embodiment.

The embodiment 60, shown in FIG. 3, has a canister 11' substantiallyidentical to the canister in FIG. I. In this embodiment, however, onlyone charge 63 is placed between a top anvil 62 and a bottom anvil 65.The explosive material 69, thus, extends the full length of canister 11.Illustrated also is the method of securing the skin 70 to the canisterby means of screws 71,

5 72. One or more of these screws may be drilled as is the case withscrew 72 to accept safety wire 73. In any of the embodiments, it may bedesirable to add locking lugs 74 to fit the inner contour of certainfuel cell filler openings.

10 What is claimed is:

I. An explosive charge comprising: at least one piece of toroidalexplosive material having an elongated body with top and bottom circularsurfaces and a central bore;

top and bottom anvil pieces each having a circular disk portion and adepending coaxial cylindrical portion; said disk portions abuttingrespectively the said top and bottom surfaces of said explosive chargewith said depending portions extending into said bore;

explosive booster means in said central bore between said dependingportions;

detonating means passing through said top anvil and connecting with saidbooster means a cylindrical housing for said explosive charge;

said top and bottom anvil pieces forming a top and bottom of saidhousing; and

means on said housing for securing the housing in an aircraft fuel cellfiller opening and flush with surrounding surfaces.

2. An explosive charge comprising two separate pieces of toroidalexplosive material each having an elongated body with top and bottomcircular surfaces 35 and a central bore:

top and bottom anvil pieces each having a circular disk portion and adepending coaxial cylindrical portion;

said disk portions abutting respectively the said top and bottomsurfaces of said explosive charge with said depending portions extendinginto said central bore;

explosive booster means in said central bore between said dependingportions; and

detonating means passing through said top anvil and connecting with saidbooster means;

a central circular anvil piece between said pieces of explosive materialwith first and second depending portions of said anvil piece extendingon opposing sides thereof into respective ones of said pieces ofexplosive material;

said explosive booster means including top and bottom booster pelletsrespectively filling spaces between the top anvil and the center anviland between the center anvil and the bottom anvil; and

said detonating means, further, passing through said center anvil.

3. An explosive charge according to claim 2 further comprising:

a cylindrical housing for said explosive charge;

said top and bottom anvil pieces forming a top and bottom of saidhousing; and

means on said housing for securing the housing in an aircraft fuel cellfiller opening and flush with sur rounding surfaces. 4. An explosivecharge according to claim 2 further comprising:

a cylindrical housing for said explosive charge; said top and bottomanvil pieces forming a top and bottom of said housing; and means on saidhousing for securing the housing in an aircraft fuel cell filler openingand flush with sur- 5 rounding surfaces.

1. An explosive charge comprising: at least one piece of toroidalexplosive material having an elongated body with top and bottom circularsurfaces and a central bore; top and bottom anvil pieces each having acircular disk portion and a depending coaxial cylindrical portion; saiddisk portions abutting respectively the said top and bottom surfaces ofsaid explosive charge with said depending portions extending into saidbore; explosive booster means in said central bore between saiddepending portions; detonating means passing through said top anvil andconnecting with said booster means a cylindrical housing for saidexplosive charge; said top and bottom anvil pieces forming a top andbottom of said housing; and means on said housing for securing thehousing in an aircraft fuel cell filler opening and flush withsurrounding surfaces.
 2. An explosive charge comprising two separatepieces of toroidal explosive material each having an elongated body withtop and bottom circular surfaces and a central bore: top and bottomanvil pieces each having a circular disk portion and a depending coaxialcylindrical portion; said disk portions abutting respectively the saidtop and bottom surfaces of said explosive charge with said dependingportions extending into said central bore; explosive booster means insaid central bore between said depending portions; and detonating meanspassing through said top anvil and connecting with said booster means; acentral circular anvil piece between said pieces of explosive materialwith first and second depending portions of said anvil piece extendingon opposing sides thereof into respective ones of said pieces ofexplosive material; said explosive booster means including top andbottom booster pellets respectively filling spaces between the top anviland the center anvil and between the center anvil and the bottom anvil;and said detonating means, further, passing through said center anvil.3. An explosive charge according to claim 2 further comprising: acylindrical housing for said explosive charge; said top and bottom anvilpieces forming a top and bottom of said housing; and means on saidhousing for securing the housing in an aircraft fuel cell filler openingand flush with surrounding surfaces.
 4. An explosive charge according toclaim 2 further comprising: a cylindrical housing for said explosivecharge; said top and bottom anvil pieces forming a top and bottom ofsaid housing; and means on said housing for securing the housing in anaircraft fuel cell filler opening and flush with surrounding surfaces.